Convert DR Grader to 3 point?

[LobsterClaw207]

I tried to search and came up empty, so apologies if this is somehow a duplicate.

I have (my small road association has) a DR Grader. It was previously towed behind an ATV using a normal trailer ball hitch and the yoke/hoop was just tossed over the ball. The guy with the ATV moved away about the same time I acquired my BX2200.

The electric actuator that raised/lowered the tines on the grader broke some time ago, and apparently the parts to fix it aren't available anywhere. Either way, they tossed it out without me knowing.

My question is this: has anyone, or does anyone have an idea, of how I could convert this thing to attach to my 3 point? In addition to gaining raise/lower capability, it would be nice to raise and reverse direction whereas towing the thing via a ball makes that difficult and annoying. I'm not sure if there's an easy solution besides a full on fabrication, which I'm not sure I'm skilled or equipped to do. Thanks!

 

[johnjk]

Based on costs of materials to fabricate a 3pt hitch, and labor to fix broken functionality if you have to contract it out, would a land plane make better sense?

 

[Dave_eng]

In addition to the 3 pt hitch, you would need a frame that could stand the lifting loads. The DR frame is not designed to be lifted but rather supported by the wheels at the rear.

If you look at real road graders, they suspend a blade between a long wheelbase machine. The design is that the long wheelbase enables the middle mounted blade to cut off high spots and fill in low spots.

The DR grader is creating the long wheelbase feature between the hitch/draw bar and the rear wheels. If you do not retain the rear wheels, the DR will be trying to follow your tractor over dips and humps unless you have a pivoting top link like pull behind mowers. If you shorten the draw bar to fit the 3 pt hitch, you loose the grading feature of the long wheel base.

In short, unless you are a skilled fabricator, then use it as it is or get something like a land plane. Focus on making a manual adjustment for the feature that was once powered.

Dave

 

[Missouribound]

Actuators can be bought pretty easily online. The grader itself (DR) can be repaired with off the shelf parts for the most part. And anything that can't be bought can be fabricated easily. Repairing it would be much easier and cheaper than trying to convert it to a 3 point implement.
And you can always get a ball for your draw bar.
If the DR worked well for what was wanted no reason to re-invent it. A little repair, a little maintenance and you can make the road association happy.
It is at least worth a try. I fabricated a small rake / rear blade for my lawn tractor from parts laying around and I bought an actuator on Amazon.
I have about $50 in it.
And I just looked at the DR website. All the parts are available online for the DR Grader. You just have to make the effort to look for them.

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Copy on all, thanks! I guess I shouldn't have taken the previous operator's word for it on the parts, everything else makes sense too. Appreciate the input, all.